What’s is VDI and why do we need it in IT?
Virtual Desktop Infrastructures (VDI) are just that Virtual desktops that anyone can use on any given system around the world. According to Citrix each VDI “includes an operating system image, typically Microsoft Windows“. So what does that really mean? The real question we should be asking ourselves is what does it do or how can we use that in virtualization. The answer is quite simple, the truth of the matter is that VDI will help servers move a desktop from one server or even allow the user to do what they would normally do in the office and be able to do it anywhere the world. The company could also give them really cheap or maybe even Chromebooks to do their work from home. Ever since the start of virtual machines this has been something that was readily deployed because it kept the information in a centralized server and the user wouldn’t need to worry about any sensitive information leaks by someone stealing a laptop or a desktop.
Persistent and non-Persistent
Each VDI can allow a user to make changes to the desktop or not make changes depending on the settings the administrator decides to use. Although this has not been a major point to people to try to get around the need to make the desktop a more personable environment. It does help to prevent unwanted programs and people making changes to the OS which could make it even harder to prevent malware and viruses from getting onto the VDI. Administrator’s have the option to allow users to change the desktop or keep the desktop as it is and you have to use it like it is. If you have several users that are using the same exact desktop than this would be my option to keep all the users happy.
Considerations of VDI
Even I know the power of Virtualization but some users will not know what they are missing or getting when they are using a VDI. According to IT Pro Today, We should consider a multitude of things when we deploy a VDI. Security is always going to be a big issue when it comes to how the user will interact with the virtual desktop, which could bring even more problems but most of time it will help keep the problems away. They even go as far as to make a point of how important it is to control the BYOD or even know the level of the user who is using the Virtual Desktop. Each one of these is important to keep the user safe and secure. It just depends on how well we control what they do and how they do it on it. We should be able to monitor the VM and know that it is safe in our hands as we can control the group policies of it and keep the user from going to sites or installing software that isn’t approved to be used on the system. Yet, I am sure we will see more users try to get around those restrictions because of one reason or another. Time will always be against the administrator because someone is bound to test the limits.
Do you agree or disagree, or do you think it will help us or hinder us to have to be watchful of the users and how they use the VDI?
